A Richmond Hill man was found guilty of a number of charges after executing his victim and setting the crime scene on fire nearly four years ago.
According to District Attorney Richard A. Brown, Stephen Peters, 26, and an accomplice went to the Richmond Hill home of Azeem Ali, 43, on Feb. 24, 2013. Once they were inside the apartment, Peters beat Ali and tied his hands and feet up with electrical cords. Peters then went to the basement in search of gasoline while his accomplice held a gun to Ali’s head.
When Peters returned, he took Ali’s bank card and demanded his PIN before he unloaded three bullets into the victim’s head. Peters then pour gasoline over the victim’s body and around the apartment and set the scene on fire. The FDNY responded to the fire and found the victim’s remains.
Following the crime, Peters went to a restaurant on Liberty Avenue and used their ATM to take $100 out of the victim’s account. He later attempted to take out more money from a gas station ATM on Atlantic Avenue but was unsuccessful.
Peters was found guilty of three counts of second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, first-degree burglary, first-degree kidnapping, third-degree arson and tampering with physical evidence. His accomplice has been identified as Jason St. Hill, 20, who is awaiting trial.
Sentencing will take place on Wednesday, Feb. 22. Peters faces up to 41 1/3 years to life in prison.
